Issue |
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 12, Number 10, November 2002
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Page(s) | 235 - 252 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:20020462 |
J. Phys. IV France 12 (2002) Pr10-235
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20020462
Transport phenomena
G. KockartsInstitut d'Aéronomie Spatiale, 3 avenue Circulaire, I 180 Bruxelles, Belgium
Abstract
This tutorial paper describes how various transport phenomena affect the atmospheric structure.
These basic principles are applied to the Earth's atmosphere. but can be extended to any other atmosphere.
Two types of movements are considered, namely global movements which affects all constituents and minor
constituents movements which depend on the nature of the atmospheric components. Since the atmospheric
composition depends on the actual hydrodynamical regime, the transition from perfect mixing to molecular
diffusion is analyzed as well as the transition from wllisional dominated heterosphere to the exosphere where
almost no interaction occurs between atmospheric components.
© EDP Sciences 2002